Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?

The Quran says: God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just.

(Quran, 60:8)

It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places have flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the Caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city.

Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves.34, Islam granted freedom of worship to allowards other faiths: when the Caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the yera er the Islam